Tuesday night, approximately 30 residents came together to help improve minority relations in Fort Smith.Organizers told 40/29 News the Diversity Task Force will address issues that affect everyone across the country and here at home."This is an ongoing process and we want to continue to build a bridge between the police department and the community, making sure they hear our concerns," Leora Jackson said.Jackson helped organize the Black Lives Matter march in Fort Smith.Last Wednesday, nearly 200 people attended the march to protest police violence and to protest the low number of African-American officers at the Fort Smith Police Department."We were not only saying black lives matter, we were saying all lives matter but black lives matter also," Evelyn Reese said."Fort Smith needs more diversity for sure," said Leslie Leiland, who recently moved to Fort Smith. "I think coming from California, especially the Bay Area, where diversity is everywhere, I know no different. Coming here, I crave for more diversity.""If you stay on the south side of town, you rarely go to the north side of town. There's never a mutual spot," Neil Hayes said.Out of 145 patrol officers, only two are African-American.The Diversity Task Force is hoping to see more African-Americans patrolling Fort Smith."The blacks are going to take it as, 'OK, I don't have a family member, I don't know anybody on the police force, so it's hard for me to trust them,'" Hayes said."I think we need action. I think we need someone that's going to stand up and say, 'I'm tired of sitting back,'" Leiland said.Organizers with the diversity task force are focusing on getting more minorities involved in their community."I don't think everyone should be separated," Hayes said. "For the most part, I think we should all be together.""White, black, Asian, Mexican, we're all part of Fort Smith and it's going to take all of us to take it to the next level," Leiland said."Our problem is the lack of diversity within our organization as the city of Fort Smith and especially the Police Department," City Director Andre Good said.Out of nearly 900 city employees, currently 47 jobs are held by African Americans and 23 jobs are held by Hispanics.Many in the area would like to see more minorities in city positions."Do we need more members of the community, more minorities to represent? I thought those were the concerns people had and everyone tonight seemed to agree," Jackson said."The incidents that have been happening around the country are not just isolated instances," Good said. "They affect everyone here, even in Fort Smith.""It's very important to raise up our voices and do this, take some action," Myra Esquivel said. "Let's all come together and see how we can put in more diversity in different areas of our city to make it a better one."At the meeting, people also discussed actively supporting minorities who were running for key positions in Fort Smith, such as city directors and school board members.The diversity task force is hoping to meet at least once each month.The meetings are open to the public.

FORT SMITH, Ark. —

Tuesday night, approximately 30 residents came together to help improve minority relations in Fort Smith.

Organizers told 40/29 News the Diversity Task Force will address issues that affect everyone across the country and here at home.

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"This is an ongoing process and we want to continue to build a bridge between the police department and the community, making sure they hear our concerns," Leora Jackson said.

Jackson helped organize the Black Lives Matter march in Fort Smith.

Last Wednesday, nearly 200 people attended the march to protest police violence and to protest the low number of African-American officers at the Fort Smith Police Department.

"We were not only saying black lives matter, we were saying all lives matter but black lives matter also," Evelyn Reese said.

"Fort Smith needs more diversity for sure," said Leslie Leiland, who recently moved to Fort Smith. "I think coming from California, especially the Bay Area, where diversity is everywhere, I know no different. Coming here, I crave for more diversity."

"If you stay on the south side of town, you rarely go to the north side of town. There's never a mutual spot," Neil Hayes said.

Out of 145 patrol officers, only two are African-American.

The Diversity Task Force is hoping to see more African-Americans patrolling Fort Smith.

"The blacks are going to take it as, 'OK, I don't have a family member, I don't know anybody on the police force, so it's hard for me to trust them,'" Hayes said.

Organizers with the diversity task force are focusing on getting more minorities involved in their community.

"I don't think everyone should be separated," Hayes said. "For the most part, I think we should all be together."

"White, black, Asian, Mexican, we're all part of Fort Smith and it's going to take all of us to take it to the next level," Leiland said.

"Our problem is the lack of diversity within our organization as the city of Fort Smith and especially the Police Department," City Director Andre Good said.

Out of nearly 900 city employees, currently 47 jobs are held by African Americans and 23 jobs are held by Hispanics.

Many in the area would like to see more minorities in city positions.

"Do we need more members of the community, more minorities to represent? I thought those were the concerns people had and everyone tonight seemed to agree," Jackson said.

"The incidents that have been happening around the country are not just isolated instances," Good said. "They affect everyone here, even in Fort Smith."

"It's very important to raise up our voices and do this, take some action," Myra Esquivel said. "Let's all come together and see how we can put in more diversity in different areas of our city to make it a better one."

At the meeting, people also discussed actively supporting minorities who were running for key positions in Fort Smith, such as city directors and school board members.